Bourillon-Dorleans Vouvray Sec Vv Coulee D'argent 2011 750ml

Winery: Bourillon-dorleans

Varietal: Chenin Blanc

One of the most versatile white wine grape varietals in the world is the Chenin Blanc, a green skinned grape most closely associated with the still and sparkling wines of the Loire Valley, but which are cultivated in many countries across the globe and revered for their fine character and unique attributes. One of the key features of the Chenin Blanc grape is the fact that it is able to express the characteristics of the terroir it is grown on, making for highly interesting and complex white wines prized by those looking for something a little different. Their high acidity means they are perfect for producing a wide range of different wine styles, from flavorful still white wines to elegant crémants and sweet, viscous and unusual dessert wines.

Region: Loire Valley

In France, the region most closely associated with the production of fine white wines is the Loire Valley, a particularly fertile and temperate region near the Atlantic coast. This reputation is certainly justified, and the Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc vines which flourish in this region produce both dry and dessert wines of exquisite character and flavor However, the region is also responsible for some seriously high quality Cabernet Franc based wines, such as those found in the sub-region of Chenin, and plenty of elegant bubbly crémant wines, which are often fruitier and more lively than those found in Champagne, and with a character all of their own. The Loire Valley is an ancient wine region, with archaeological evidence dating wine production in this area back to the first century.

Country: France

France is renowned across the globe for its quality wines and the careful expertise which goes into making them, but what is truly remarkable about this relatively small country is the vast range of wines it produces in such huge amounts each year. Not only are the finest red wines in the world said to come from the beautiful regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, but elsewhere in the country we find the Champagne region, and areas such as the Rhone Valley and the Loire, whose white wines consistently receive awards and accolades by the plenty. This range is a result of the great variety of climatic conditions and terrain found in France, coupled with generations of wine makers working within single appellations. Their knowledge of specific terroirs and grape varieties has, over time, perfected the production of wines within their region, and the end results continue to impress the world to this day.